But on Aug. 3, tragedy struck when Pearn lost his best friend, Jacob Damen, who died suddenly at Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital of an aggressive bacterial infection. He was only 35 and left his wife and two young sons.

To honour his pal, and to raise money for an education fund to aid the two boys, Pearn will be at the Hockey Hall of Fame Friday evening for a gala event planned for 7 to 10 p.m. Truex will also be there, to support his friend and colleague but also to honour Damen.

“We miss our buddy Jacob dearly,” Pearn said from Furniture Row headquarters in Mooresville, N.C., in a release announcing the event that will also feature NASCAR executives, the Monster Energy Trophy and the award-winning musical act Cold Creek Country.

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“We all have family and friends that fill a space in our hearts that is irreplaceable. Jacob filled the hearts of his wife Carolyn, his sons Lucas and Nolan, his parents Jerry and Jim Damen, his twin brother Tyler, sister Julia and countless friends.

“We are going to celebrate his life at the perfect spot, the Hockey Hall of Fame, to support his wife and the two boys. I can’t wait to get home to celebrate with everyone.”

The event will include a silent auction as well as a live action featuring famed Ontario auctioneer Ron Reinhart. Souvenirs and other memorabilia from the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Toronto Raptors will be up for action, as will a racing helmet worn by Truex during his championship season.